Clinique iD: Active Cartridge Concentrate for Uneven Skin Tone
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbyl glucoside, Salicylic acid + 2 moreMay help
“The Active Cartridge Concentrate for Uneven Skin Tone delivers concentrated actives, including Japanese Angelica Root, to even tone and brighten.”
This product might be able to help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains salicylic acid. The effect, if any, is likely to be small. Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, TaurineWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Caffeine + 4 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucosideMay help
This product contains ascorbyl glucoside. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAscorbyl glucoside~3.3–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideCaffeine~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineAngelica acutiloba root extract~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus malus fruit extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractSaccharum officinarum extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractSalicylic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidPhospholipids~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsStearamidopropyl dimethylamine~0.4–0.9%
Stearic acid~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTaurine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Could be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness
More about TaurineSodium citrate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateDisodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Sodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Ascorbyl glucoside, Caffeine, Angelica acutiloba root extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Salicylic acid, Phospholipids, Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, Stearic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Sodium hydroxide, Xanthan gum, Taurine, Sodium citrate, Disodium edta, Sodium sulfite, Sodium metabisulfite, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CliniqueiD: Active Cartridge Concentrate for Uneven Skin ToneYOUR PRODUCT | HoraceSérum Acide Salicylique 2 % + Niacinamide 3 % | Emma STreatment Niacinamide Formula | REVOLUTION SKINCARESalicylic Acid Ampoules | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 75% | 75% |
| Price | — | — | — | $11.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Versed Skin Just Breathe Clarifying SerumBythebeau Babchi Skin Rejuvenating Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
- 4Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasissciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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